by Cherrie Mack
“Hmm. You are lucky Miss Desiree isn’t the tenth power.” Simon chuckled.
“Shut up Simon.”
“See what I mean?”
Julien shook his head at them. “How can I earn her trust after the way I’ve been acting? I need to get a rise outta her to ignite her power.”
“Or,” Desiree fell back into her chair. “You can give her something she wants.”
Julien lifted one eyebrow. “Tell me, woman. Don’t leave me hanging. How can I get her to trust me?”
“It will be a great test of your strength, Julien. Are you up for the challenge?”
“I was born for a challenge. Tell me.”
She crossed her arms over her breasts. “Seduce her. Sex is the one experience she wants to have before she meets her fate. And you, Julien, happen to be in the right place at the right time.”
Unnerved, his eyes widened. “I can’t do that. It’s not fair to Giselle. She needs someone to love her. I’m not capable—of love.”
“Oh, you men are all the same. It’s not marriage, it’s sex. Giselle can have her pick of any man. If she lives. That’s where you come in.”
Julien wasn’t sure why Desiree’s statement angered him. Was he jealous? Did he care for Giselle? That feeling was so foreign to him, he questioned his own emotions. “So you’re saying, I should let her use me for sex? Then she’ll cooperate?”
“Merde, Julien.” Desiree scratched her chin. “How can I make you understand? Giselle is falling for you. As a matter of fact, she might be in love with you. Any fool can see it. Right, Simon?”
Simon cocked his head. “Are you saying I’m a fool?”
Julien stood in Simon’s view of Desiree. “What do you think, Simon?”
Simon smirked. “Sometimes we travelers have to take one for the team.”
Desiree snorted. “Ugh! That’s so vulgar, Simon.”
“Isn’t that the way you like it?”
Julien put his hands up in a stop motion. “Stop it you two. I’ll do it. But I’ll do it my way.” If only I knew what that was?
Chapter Sixteen
Giselle awoke to the aroma of coffee and pancakes. Throwing back her covers, she yawned as she got out of bed. She searched for something to wear, then meandered into the cottage’s kitchen. To her surprise, Julien was busy cooking.
“Do my eyes deceive me or are those pancakes you’re flipping?”
He glanced at her, looking her up and down. Turning back to his skillet, he grinned. “My old shirt looks good on you.”
She wore an old tattered shirt from one of the draws, and yanked it down over her thighs. “Thanks.”
“I’m making my specialty. Pancakes ala Julien. Do you like blueberries?”
“Yes. Very much.” She licked her lips, hungry for the first bite. A chair moved itself out from under the table, and a steaming mug of coffee appeared. “Have a seat, Little Witch.”
He waved his spatula in the air, pointing to the new and improved condition of the cottage. “You do this?”
As she sat down, she looked around. “Nope. Just sorta morphed into this great little space.”
He dished out the pancakes, “I think you did it. Sorta unconsciously.”
“Unconsciously?”
Placing her breakfast in front of her, he held up an empty glass. “Orange or pineapple?”
“Pineapple, please.”
He poured her juice, then pulled out a chair across from her and took a seat, handing her a napkin. “If I’m right, I think you might be creating a lot of changes around here without putting a single effort into doing so.”
Giselle picked up her fork and stared at the delectable food in front of her. Somehow, she knew she was responsible for the changes to the estate but couldn’t tell him she was clueless as to how it got that way. So, she avoided his statement and took a bite of her pancake. With a full mouth, she moaned. “Mmm.”
“Good?”
She took a second to swallow before answering. “Very.”
With his elbow resting on the tabletop, he fisted his hand under his chin. “I thought about the way I’ve been approaching your training, and I wanted to apologize.”
She took a swallow. Am I dreaming? “Apologize?”
“Ya know, the last few days I did a lot of shouting at you—out of frustration, of course— and you kept your wits about you. How do you not lose your temper?”
She shrugged her shoulders. Mother always said never get angry. “Guess I’ve got a good tolerance level.”
Julien nodded his head slowly, studying her. “Hmm. I’d like to practice this morning—”
Ugh! Back to being a pain in the ass. Bring nice Julien back. Giselle cast her eyes down, but quickly looked up and smiled when he added, “in the magic gardens.”
“Really? Oh, Julien—I mean, Mr. Beaumont. That would be great.”
He reached over to gently sweep a long, dark wisp of hair out of her eyes. “Call me Julien. Unlike you, my temper always seems to get the best of me.”
Is he for real? She offered him a tight lipped smile, “Okay, Julien.”
He slid his chair back and stood up. “I would also like to take you to dinner tonight.”
Surprised, she choked down a bite of pancake. “Uh-huh,” was all she managed to mumble.
He was devastatingly handsome when he smiled. “Great. I will meet you in the garden in an hour.”
Giselle nodded as she watched him walk out the door. Filled with excitement, she decided to try to trust Julien. Her visions were not only giving her hope of a great love, but hope that the veil could help her prophesize the future as well. That still remained to be seen. Afraid to be too happy, she found herself questioning his motives. She shook her head, dispelling the thought. Don’t ruin it! It’s what you’ve been dreaming about.
An hour later, Giselle arrived first in the magic gardens. Feeling her life might hold some meaning after all, she strolled along the flowered path with a new appreciation for the magic around her. There was something about Beaumont Plantation that energized her. Or was it Julien? Smiling to herself, she allowed a momentary lapse into thinking her vision might not be a fake prophecy after all.
Stopping on the path, she noticed a patch of flowers looking as if they didn’t belong. The little Iris flowers drooped toward the earth, their need for water crying out to her. She stopped and stared. Empathy flowed through her body, tingling sensations climbed her limbs until they reached her fingers. Each tip was filled with so much energy, the need to move her hands came as natural as breathing. Concentrating on the flower patch in need of water, Giselle felt her physical and emotional auras align. With a determination to explore this newfound awareness, and not suppress it, she kept her concentration. She envisioned a shooting flute of water cascading over the gardens ensuring every living thing drank in its life giving essence.
Feeling happiness and light, her laughter bubbled up as she raised her hands up to the heavens. To her shock, up from the ground shot a stream of water, mushrooming over the greenery. Giselle stood back, watching the water dance over the gardens, gently caressing the flowers at her feet. Unable to contain her excitement, she closed her eyes and twirled around and around in the water’s spray. Wet from head to toe, she smiled and laughed like a little girl.
“I knew you could do it.” Julien’s deep melodic voice broke into her thoughts. Opening her eyes, Giselle saw that the traveler stood smiling at her display. Without thinking, she ran straight into his arms.
Wrapping her arms around his waist, her joyful reaction seemed to trigger something in him, because he hugged her back. “You see, Little Witch. Your power can be used to save the dying.”
She looked up into his eyes and saw his desire. She needed his kiss. Her body was screaming for his attention. The feel of her own need was overwhelming. She felt her blood rush to every erogenous zone, leaving her breasts heavy and aching, her nipples puckering as they brushed against his hard chest. She bit her bottom lip in an eff
ort to think of something else. “Did you come here and cast a spell to make those flowers wilt.”
“Ahh. I’ve been found out.” Placing his hands on her waist, he turned her around, pulling her back against his chest. The water sprayed down, its cool drops soaking her skin, and she quivered when Julien dropped his head to whisper in her ear. His warm breath sent shivers down her torso, and an ache settled between her legs. “Look at what you’ve done. We must explore this potential together.”
Feeling his hands travel down to her hips, he pressed his lips to her cheek. Running his open mouth along the nape of her neck and up toward her ear, her body quickly heated up. Resting his hands on her pelvis, fingers splayed on her inner thighs, he traced her most intimate part with his thumbs. Giselle allowed her head to fall back, leaning into him. As she tried to turn her body, he held her in place.
“Giselle, if I kissed you, would you be willing to explore more magic with me?”
Her body hummed with excitement. She wanted this man. Wanted him to kiss her, to fill this new need in her. “Umm, mm.” She answered, her voice breathy. Dreamy. She wanted to make magic with him, just as he said. Julien let her go and slowly walked around to face her. He placed his hands on her cheeks, leaning in for their first kiss when her mind snapped to attention. Her hands shot out thumping his chest, pushing him back. “What exactly did you mean by that, Mr. Beaumont?”
****
Simon lazily stretched his legs out on a hammock as hung beneath the trees. The sun was especially warm today. He was neither hot nor cold, he felt just right. It occurred to him that this wasn’t such a bad assignment. Getting Desiree to agree to not interfere wasn’t as difficult as he’d first thought. And their plan just might work.
Lucky for Julien.
Whether the arrangement is successful or not still remains to be seen. In the meantime, he would relax. He’d been much too tense around Desiree, and that was because he wanted to sleep with her. No—hook up. I want to hook up with her.
Simon closed his eyes swinging serenely, without a care in the world. He drifted off, his imagination wandering, retracing the moment he saw Desiree standing in the darkness, touching her body, wanting him. Simon’s erection grew while he fantasized further about her rounded, full curves, very unlike the skinny, muscular women of this decade. He imagined the two of them naked, spreading her thighs and tasting her for the first time. Squirming, making urgent, needy sounds under the delight of his tongue, she would encourage him to take her.
Continuing to indulge in his daydream, Simon pictured her breasts in his hands, pleasuring her, pinching her erect nipples between his—suddenly his hammock swung with a great force. Clutching the sides, Simon tried his best to hold on, but was unsuccessful as the hammock overturned, sending him tumbling to the ground beneath him. Bewildered, he scanned the area. The breeze was slight but not strong. It had to be—
“Merde! Get off your duff, old man! We have a problem.”
Sure enough, Simon watched as Desiree came storming toward him. With her hands in the air, bracelets clanging, she cussed in French. Oh boy. She looks pissed. Not wanting her to see his erection, he stayed seated on the grass, fighting the urge to go to her. He pushed his cock to the side and brought his knee up, resting his arm across his leg. Nonchalant, he drawled, “What is the problem now, mon ange?”
“I asked you to stop calling me that,” She snapped.
“My apologies. You want to tell me what is going on? I thought things were, uh, how do you say it, good to go?”
“Don’t be so obtuse, Simon. I dumped you on your ass once. I can easily do it again.”
Ah, just what I thought. Well, two can play at that game. Simon narrowed his eyes and focused. As she waited for a response, a strong breeze came out of nowhere blowing her long flowing skirt up high in the air, exposing her tiny thong. Simon watched her grab the skirt, frantically trying to hold it down. And watching her struggle to keep it in place made him laugh aloud.
As the wind eased, she let go of her skirt. Standing in the sunlight, she squared her shoulders, her mouth in a tight pout. “You think that bothered me, Simon? All that just to see my panties? Here’s what I think of your stupidity.” She promptly stripped every piece of clothing off her body except her thong. With her hands on her hips, she exclaimed, “Well? Here it is.”
His eyes widened in shock and delight.
Leaning down, she removed the last barrier hiding her womanhood from his sight. She twirled her thong around her finger. “For a centuries old traveler, you behave like a child. We modern day witches have no shame of our bodies.” He watched her eyes travel down to the very large erection he tried to conceal. “What were you doing out here all by yourself, or should I bother to ask?” Throwing her thong at him, it landed at his feet. Desiree turned around and walked back towards the house, her long dark hair flying in the breeze, her ass cheeks swaying from side to side.
She shouted over her shoulder to him, “By the way, in case you were wondering? The reason I came looking for you is, our two love birds had a disagreement. So, when you’re ready to hammer out a new plan, come and see me.”
Simon lifted the thong to his nose and chuckled at her antics. Watching her gloriously naked, womanly curves walk away from him, he smiled. I’d like to hammer something, but it’s not a new plan. He lay back on the grass and covered his face with her panty.
Chapter Seventeen
Giselle dressed for her dinner date with a heavy heart. Bribe me with sex? After a heated debate, she agreed to the date. She had to go. She was just too drawn to him, not to. Giselle tried hard to ignore her feelings for him, but it almost bordered on unnatural. Not even suppressing her magic was this hard. The only way she’d go on the date was if there would be no use of magic. And sex? The more she thought about it, the more she thought the trade was ridiculous. Desiree sat on Giselle’s bed painting her toenails a glittery black, offering her opinion. “I think this will be good for you.”
“What? The trade?”
“Is that how you refer to it?” Desiree rolled her eyes.
“How else am I supposed to refer to it? It’s no secret Julien has a job to do. Get me to cooperate, teach me how to use my powers and dump me off in Cottonwood Landing. In return, Julien will show me a good time.”
Desiree snickered. “How romantic.”
“Romance has nothing to do with it. Julien says it’s like a business transaction, plain and simple.” Recalling his words, she sighed. He was oblivious to her hurt feelings.
“Yeah, I bet. Well, whatever you do? Don’t let him kiss you until you get to the door.”
“You think he’ll kiss me?”
“I think he’d fuck you if you let him.”
“Desiree!” Giselle’s cheeks flushed red.
“What? It’s true. I see the way he looks at you.”
Giselle gazed at herself in the mirror. Her make-up was barely there and her hair hung lifeless around her shoulders. The dress she wore was more apropos for a spiritual conference than a hot date. But she had lost enthusiasm after that spectacle in the garden. And she didn’t exactly pack for this trip to the bayou. Besides, Julien was only doing this to get her to do something in return. Why should she care? Tonight would be about experiencing a little bit of normalcy and nothing more.
She turned around to face Desiree. “Well? What do you think?”
Desiree looked up from her toenails. “What do I think about what?”
“How I look. What do you think?”
Desiree got off the bed. “Wait a minute. That? That is what you’re wearing for a date with a hot traveler with bulging biceps and an ass I could bounce a quarter off of? No-no-no Giselle, you must do better than that. You are so beautiful. This clothing does not do you justice.”
“Well I don’t have time to—” Desiree grabbed her hand and rushed into the bathroom.
“How much time do we have?”
“Ten minutes.”
“Merde! I must do
something quickly.”
“No magic! I do not want to hear about, talk about, or do any magic tonight. So help me Desiree, if you—”
“I won’t,” she said, reaching for her make-up bag.
****
Simon stretched his long legs out in front of him and sipped an iced tea. Watching Julien pace the length of the porch made him chuckle. “Take it easy. She’ll be along.”
“Why are women never on time?”
“You can’t be serious. How many dates have you had? Women always run late.”
“I wouldn’t know. I haven’t had a real date since I was twenty-four.”
Simon lifted his brow in surprise. “Six years without a date? Why?”
Julien shrugged. “Don’t know. I haven’t met anyone who’s piqued my interest.”
“Maybe you feel so nervous because you care for Giselle?”
“Of course I care. The whole damn world is heading for ruination if I can’t get that little witch to perform. That’s a lot of pressure for a man. Then I come to find out the only way to get her to use her powers is through—love.” He rolled his eyes.
Simon folded his arms across his chest and reached up to tap his chin. “Love? And this is a problem for you, how?”
Julien gave him a somber expression. “I don’t do love. Never have. Never even came close. I don’t know why, maybe I just lack the love gene.”
“I’m so sorry, Julien. But you are still young. There will be someone who captures your heart.”
Unsmiling, Julien shook his head. “I don’t even know what it feels like.”
Simon chose his words carefully and, after a moment of silence, he sighed. “To truly love, you must surrender your life. But, oh, what a trade it is. Mere colors become more vibrant, simple sounds become a symphony, and sex becomes the nourishment of the soul. There is nothing like a true love, and when it rushes into your heart, it crashes with the force of an ocean wave in a ferocious storm.”
Julien stared at him.
Simon chuckled, “I sound like a woman, eh?”
Desiree and Giselle approached the porch.